Parenting Specialist- PRN

Archdiocese of St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pre-Employment Screening

Job summary

Good Shepherd Children & Family Services in the St. Louis area seeks a Parenting Specialist to support youth in foster care programs. You will provide one-on-one coaching, maintain safety, and implement evidence-based curricula such as Nurturing Skills while coordinating with supervisors.

Responsibilities include documenting progress, engaging families, and supporting educational activities; evenings and weekends may be required.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; High School Diploma accepted with approximately 10 years of relevant experience.
• Must obtain MCCA Medication Administration Certification within 60 days of employment.
• Demonstrate ability and willingness to learn Safe Crisis Management techniques.
• Attend Protecting God’s Children training within 60 days of employment.
• Obtain First Aid and CPR certification within 90 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one coaching and teaching using the Nurturing Skills curriculum.
• Maintain youth safety through continuous supervision and structure.
• Document progress notes, incident reports, and safety records.
• Build trusting relationships with residents through active listening and encouragement.
• Support educational success by assisting with homework and tutoring preparation.
• Collaborate with supervisors, clinical staff, families, and community partners.
• Attend required meetings and training sessions.
• Demonstrate professionalism and maintain boundaries in crisis situations.

Skills

Adaptability

Technology proficiency

Multitasking

Verbal/written communication

Active listening

Empathy

Mentoring

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

High School Diploma with 10 years' youth experience

MCCA Medication Administration Certification

Safe Crisis Management training

Protecting God’s Children training

First Aid/CPR certification

Tools

None

Job description

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Good Shepherd Children & Family Services provides the highest quality foster care and treatment foster care, adoption, expectant parent counseling, maternity shelter, pregnancy services and advocacy. In response to the call of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, to help those in need, we connect children with families and keep families connected.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Catholic Charities of Good ShepherdChildren and Family Services Parenting Specialist position is responsible for the client’s day-to-day care. Interaction between parenting specialists and clients requires respectful, collaborative, strength-based interventions responsible for maintaining youth safety through continuous supervision. In supporting and promoting these relationships, each parenting specialist will demonstrate a high standard of professional and ethical behavior that coincides with the philosophy, mission, and values of the agency. The Parenting Specialists will be expected to have previous experience working with child development needs, be able to maintain good judgment with minimal supervision, and provide creative and engaging activities for the clients. Each Parenting Specialist will be trained and expected to provide one on one coaching and teaching in line with the evidenced-based curriculum Nurturing Skills.

Primary Objectives

As a parenting specialists you must contribute positively to the therapeutic culture of the program by:

• Ensuring that the units promote mutual respect, trust, personal safety and security.
• Maximizing relationship building, teachable moments and strength-based interactions.
• Promoting positive change, growth, and development.
• Role modeling appropriate values and behaviors.
• Providing structure and assisting in goal attainment.
• Providing supervision by always knowing and being where the residents are at all times.

Youth Development and Support

• Build trusting relationships with residents through active listening, encouragement, and a strengths-based approach.
• Provide individualized coaching, mentorship, and emotional support.
• Use daily interactions as learning opportunities to promote personal growth, responsibility, and independence.
• Focus on positive discipline, accountability, and skill development rather than punishment.
• Spend significant time working one-on-one with residents to support progress and goal achievement.

Safety and Structure

• Maintain a safe, consistent, and supportive living environment.
• Follow treatment plans, program schedules, and resident goals.
• Monitor resident behavior and well-being, conduct safety checks, and address concerns promptly.
• Participate in daily team communication, debriefings, and supervision activities.
• Ensure program expectations, rules, and consequences are applied fairly and consistently.

Documentation and Compliance

• Complete required documentation, including progress notes, incident reports, communication logs, and safety records.
• Accurately record resident progress and billable service minutes.
• Report concerns related to resident safety, health, or welfare through proper channels.

Program and Educational Activities

• Support educational success by encouraging attendance, assisting with homework, study sessions, and tutoring preparation.
• Facilitate life-skills groups, goal-setting activities, and daily group discussions.
• Assist with transportation, meal preparation, household responsibilities, and recreational activities.
• Promote responsibility by helping residents develop independent living and parenting skills.

Professionalism and Teamwork

• Collaborate effectively with supervisors, clinical staff, families, referral sources, and community partners.
• Attend required meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities.
• Maintain professional boundaries and demonstrate sound judgment in crisis situations.
• Demonstrate flexibility in scheduling, including evenings, weekends, overnight shifts, emergencies, and inclement weather conditions.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Must be at least 21 years of age.

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; High School Diploma accepted with approximately 10 years of relevant experience working with youth.
• Support the teachings of the Catholic Church and collaborate with colleagues across departments to connect residents and clients with available Good Shepherd resources. Ability to drive a variety of agency vehicles.
• Obtain MCCA Medication Administration Certification within 60 days of employment.
• Demonstrate the ability and willingness to learn and apply Safe Crisis Management intervention techniques.
• Attend Protecting God’s Children training within 60 days of employment.
• Obtain First Aid and CPR certification within 90 days of employment.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Adaptability and flexibility in changing environments.
• Proficiency with technology and electronic systems.
• Strong multitasking and organizational abilities.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Active listening and interpersonal relationship-building skills.
• Patience, empathy, and the ability to work with diverse youth populations.
• Ability to serve as a positive role model and mentor.
• Strong ability to build trust and maintain positive relationships with youth and adolescents.
• Sound judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to support youth development, independence, and personal growth.
• Capacity to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to maintaining professionalism, respect, and appropriate boundaries with residents and colleagues.

Good Shepherd Children & Family Servicesdoes not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities. Good Shepherd Children & Family Servicesis an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or disability.
Pre-Employment Screening
All candidates receiving an employment offer must submit a pre-employment screening. The screenings will include a criminal background check with other background checks (as needed), Family Care Safety Registration, drug screen, and an employment and education or licensure/certification verification. Various positions will require physical examination, Tuberculosis screening and Hepatitis A. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Our Mission

To bring the healing, help, and hope of Jesus Christ to those in need with a compassionate, caring presence.

Connecting children with families and keeping families connected by providing pregnancy and parenting support, foster care programs, and adoption services.

"Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."